What an incredible day!

The UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2025 took place at the House of Commons, bringing together Sheds and Shedders from across the UK for a day full of celebration, stories, connection and a lot of smiles.

We were blown away by the passion, creativity and community spirit shown by every one of our finalists. Choosing our winners was tougher than ever — each category was filled with exceptional projects and inspirational individuals.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Westminster, travelled across the country, shared their stories, and helped make the day unforgettable.

Below you’ll find all the award winners, along with photos from the day and a special gallery of the travel photos shared by Shedders on their way to the event.

Men’s Shed of the Year – Men’s Shed Blaenau Gwent

Men’s Shed Blaenau Gwent is a thriving hub of environmental action, intergenerational teamwork and community care. Their large-scale pallet recycling programme has transformed waste wood into usable items for local groups while giving young people practical skills and pride in their achievements. Members have also created 75 wildlife habitats, a community garden offering free produce, and a sustainability model rooted in composting, rainwater harvesting and creative reuse.

Beyond making and mending, the Shed tackles isolation through its warm hub, litter-picking champions, digital upskilling through podcasting, and a flourishing Ladies’ Group. Their standout intergenerational project — a mini golf course built with local boys struggling with attendance — has since benefited over 1,000 students. The Shed is a joyful, generous force for good, strengthening wellbeing, nature and community life across the Valleys.

Shedder of the Year – Robert Taylor (Medway Men in Sheds)

Some Shedders build with timber — Rob builds connection, stability and hope. Registered blind and living with significant health challenges, Rob has become the intellectual and emotional anchor of Medway Men in Sheds. After losing his wife to cancer and facing his own declining health, the Shed became a lifeline — but over time, Rob became a lifeline for everyone else.

With an extraordinary photographic memory and a background in industry and government, Rob supports the Shed through research, PR, governance, networking, administration, fundraising, safeguarding awareness and 24/7 communication. He checks in on members, mentors staff, and keeps the organisation grounded, fair and forward-looking. Rob embodies the very heart of the Shed movement: compassion, wisdom, community and unwavering support.

Heritage & Habitat Award – Braunton Men’s Shed

Braunton Men’s Shed turned a long search for premises into something truly unique: building their Shed inside two lovingly restored railway goods carriages. Set on reclaimed tracks, the workshops honour the village’s lost railway line while inspiring the “Trains Gone By” project — a community history initiative capturing and celebrating local memories in a beautifully produced booklet.

Beyond heritage, Braunton Shedders champion sustainability with their Toolcycle scheme, repair café, wildlife habitats and creative conservation projects in partnership with local groups. Whether supporting Cubs, crafting swift boxes or helping residents reconnect with local history, the Shed proves that size doesn’t determine impact — creativity, kindness and community spirit do.

Armed Forces Award – Ripon Men’s Shed

Deeply rooted in Ripon’s military history, Ripon Men’s Shed has woven service, remembrance and community spirit into every aspect of its work. Their extraordinary “Knitted Tank” project — a full-size wooden framework of a Churchill Mk IV tank covered in nearly 2,000 hand-knitted squares — became a powerful tribute for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and attracted national attention while raising funds for Help for Heroes.

Shedders also support the Royal Engineers Association, dementia care units, and local veterans through craft, repair and meaningful acts of remembrance. From creating regimental replicas to crafting memorial plaques, the Shed honours service and strengthens connections between veterans and their community. Ripon Men’s Shed embodies the spirit of the Armed Forces Award: creativity, camaraderie and deep respect for those who served.

Community Award – Reddish Men’s Shed

Reddish Men in Sheds has transformed its community by giving unwanted bicycles — and the people who restore them — a second chance through their hugely successful Bike Giveaway project. Aimed initially at donating 21 bikes in six months, the scheme accelerated rapidly, gifting over 90 refurbished bikes to people facing financial hardship, social disadvantage, or barriers to education, work or travel.

The project has helped families cycle together, enabled children to reach school reliably, and provided eco-friendly transport to those who need it most. For Shedders, the project has been equally life-changing: offering purpose, companionship and recovery, with one member describing the group as “a godsend”. Reddish Men’s Shed demonstrates how practical skills, shared effort and a kettle that’s “always on” can create enormous personal, environmental and social impact.

Partnership Award – Shrewsbury Men’s Shed

Shrewsbury Men’s Shed has created one of the strongest partnerships in the UK Shed movement through its long-standing collaboration with Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust. As the most frequently referred social prescribing organisation in the county, the Shed has become a trusted, stigma-free space for men facing stroke, mental ill health, addiction and especially cancer.

A standout achievement is the “Men Like Us” cancer support group — a men-only space hosted in the Shed’s warm, purpose-built social area, designed for openness, trust and conversation. Many men who previously avoided formal support now walk through the Shed’s doors, discovering community, friendship and understanding. Shrewsbury Men’s Shed shows what’s possible when a Shed becomes a true partner in health, offering sanctuary, purpose and belonging during life’s most difficult moments.

Health & Wellbeing Award – Broadstairs Town Shed

For over a decade, Broadstairs Town Shed has championed the health and wellbeing of its members and wider community — growing from a busy woodworking space into a fully holistic, person-centred programme shaped directly by community need. After major building improvements and the introduction of a dedicated Health & Wellbeing Community Connector, the Shed expanded its week and opened up new pathways of support in partnership with the NHS and local organisations.

With Wellbeing Mondays and Creative Fridays complementing their core workshop days, the Shed now offers healthy-eating sessions, scam-prevention talks, mindfulness crafts, tai chi, creative writing, music and more — all in a warm, volunteer-led environment. Members describe the Shed as a lifeline and a safe place that “gave me my life back”, showing just how powerful a community becomes when creativity, compassion and connection come together.

Special Recognition Award – Humber Shed Alliance

The Humber Shed Alliance is a powerful example of Sheds working collaboratively to lift each other up. Bringing together 22 Sheds across the region, the Alliance provides shared expertise in governance, safeguarding, fundraising, finance, health and safety and trustee support — ensuring every Shed is sustainable and well-supported.

Their partnership with the NHS Integrated Care Board has created vital opportunities to reach men on issues such as prostate cancer, high blood pressure and planned hospital changes. Alliance members now include trained Cancer Champions and Shedders who support community blood-pressure checks. The Alliance also collaborates on shared projects — from wig stands for the cancer hospital to food-growing planters and compassionate support for bereaved families. It is a shining example of what Sheds can achieve together.

Special Recognition Award – The Octopus Shed Project

Photos from the Awards Day

Enjoy a selection of our favourite moments from Westminster — from trophy presentations to Shedder smiles, proud teams, and plenty of celebrations

“On the Way to Westminster” – Travel Photo Gallery

We loved seeing your photos and videos as you made your journeys from all corners of the UK — trains, minibuses, car shares, and early-morning adventures!

This gallery brings them all together to capture the excitement and anticipation on the day. (coming soon)

Thank you to our Sponsors

We’re grateful for the generous support that makes this celebration possible.

“It’s a great privilege for the Tite-Fix team to work alongside UKMSA, Sheds, and their dedicated shedders, witnessing the incredible efforts they make in promoting wellbeing, improving lives, and supporting local communities. We are truly honoured to once again sponsor the UKMSA Awards — a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of these remarkable Sheds.”

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